Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Boston University field hockey team took an early lead and never relinquished it, earning a 3-1 victory at American on Friday afternoon at Jacobs Field.

Sophomore Hester van der Laan scored in the sixth minute and classmate Amanda Cassera added her Patriot League-leading ninth goal of the season with under seven minutes left in the opening half.

After American got on the board early in the latter half, junior Rachel Coll added an insurance goal in the 54th minute.

With the win, BU ups its season record to 9-7 and moves into sole possession of second place in the Patriot League standings with a 4-1 mark.

Off an American restart at the 25, van der Laan stole the ball at midfield and created a 2-on-1 rush. As she charged in towards the right post, she elected to shoot, and she converted at the 5:53 mark.

Ellie Landsman helped to set up BU's second goal, as the sophomore penetrated the circle from the right side and dribbled along the end line before placing a centering pass. In a crowd, Cassera got her stick on the ball and watched it bounce off an American defender and in at 28:22.

The Eagles cut their deficit in half at the 43:41 mark when Leah DiGiandomenico took a pass from Kati Rothenhoefer and elevated the ball to the netting.

That would be the only shot to get by goalkeeper Valentina Cerda Eimcbke, however, as the senior made four saves on the day.

BU used a corner to seal the victory, as Coll inserted the ball and then knocked collected the ball off a blocked shot before sending it past American goalkeeper Kate McBeath at 53:59.

The Terriers outshot the Eagles, 13-7 and earned four corners while allowing only two.

BU will return to action on Sunday (Oct. 26) when they host No. 8 Virginia. Game time at New Balance Field is set for noon.